Hang tough

Some days it feels like you don't make a dent. You work hard to help someone and, oblivious to your motives, they may even ask you why you bother doing something and tell you straight-out that they don't value what you do at all.

It goes without saying that that can be discouraging, but don't give in to discouragement! Soldier on.

MLK said that only love can defeat hate- love is also our greatest weapon against ignorance, and against selfishness and immaturity and arrogance and smugness and especially against nihilism. Love wins, love works, love and compassion and lots and lots of patience.

Apathy and indifference can't win, certainly callousness and indignation won't get you anywhere. But remember that life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. Slow and steady wins the race.

Hate and selfishness and anger are all in a hurry to shock and awe. They're all impatient and short-sighted, whereas love (being patient and kind, and keeping no records) takes the long view. Love is far more sustainable, durable, and can last forever.

So the next time you want to give up on investing in someone- a family member, a teammate, coworker, or a child or student- hang in there, even though it may SEEM fruitless. Seeds don't bloom overnight.

"So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up."~Galatians 6:9